By Akaleke, our Banjul Correspondent

Despite local and international out cry for the Senegalese Banjul based
radio station Sud FM to be reopened, The Gambian government in a statement
announced to revoke the license issued to Sud FM radio with immediate
effect, The ALLGAMBIAN online Newspaper can reveal.

 In a press release issued yesterday October 25TH, 2005 by the Department
of State for Communication, Information and Technology, the government
said it had decided to revoke the license issued to  the popular
SeneGambian radio with immediate effect.  Government sources said such a
move was masterminded by  "dictator Yahya Jammeh" who had earlier vowed
that the radio station will be closed for good,  in view of their
reportage of the just concluded Gambia/Senegalese border impasse.

Formally announcing to close the radio, the Jammeh administration in a
press release accuses Sud FM radio editorial staff of "hauling derogatory
remarks about the Gambia-Senegal board talks so that Senegal will stop
having business ties  with The  Gambia"

To further justify the closure of Sud FM radio, the government also cited
the recent interview Sud FM main parent body in the Senegalese capital
Dakar had with the MFDC rebel leader Salif Sadio, which according to the
government  will jeopardise the peace and security of the Senegalese
people.

The release said "The  Government of the Gambia is doing this to foster
more cordial relationship with her sister country."  President Jammeh has
been an obstacle to press freedom in The Gambia.  Since he came to power
in July of 1994, through an unpopular military takeover, local and
international journalists have suffered from  the hands of his repressive
government. Some journalists were harassed, arrested, deported, tortured
and others killed.  Burning down of local media houses,  by people
believed to be supporters of his tyrannical government had been going
unabated.  In a bid to curtail free speech and expression he also enacted
draconian media laws with the ultimate aim of ending dissent in the tiny
West African country.

Some  observers who spoke to The ALLGAMBIAN said the closure of The Sud FM
radio might further strained bilateral ties between the two
countries."Jammeh might think that by closing Sud FM, he  will get the
support of President Wade, when in actual fact, he is doing more harm to
The Gambian and her people. There is no doubt that the Senegalese
Community will be angered by this irresponsible move on the side of Yahya.
Wade will never take such an undemocratic move in Senegal.  Jammeh is
further jeopardising the relationship between the two countries."said the
observer

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